Abstract

A recent paper in this journal1 presented a set of innovative uses of video analysis for introductory physics using Tracker. In addition, numerous other papers have described how video analysis can be a meaningful part of introductory courses.2–4 Yet despite this, there are few resources for using video analysis in introductory astronomy classes. In this paper we describe the use of Tracker in introductory astronomy to analyze a “video” consisting of a series of still images of star fields and sunspots. Because astronomy focuses on concepts unfamiliar to most students, the visualization that video analysis provides can be especially valuable.

We would like to thank Larry Cain for his helpful feedback in preparing the exercises and this manuscript. The authors acknowledge the National Science Foundation (DUE-0442581) for its support of Open Source Physics.

Article outline:TrackerMeasuring the sidereal dayStudents analyze the images using these steps:Measuring the solar rotation rateGetting modelsConclusion